Meaning of trigger In English

• 0 a part of a gun that causes the gun to fire when pressed:

  • It's not clear who actually pulled the trigger.

• 1 an event or situation, etc. that causes something to start:

  • There are fears that the incident may be a trigger for more violence in the capital.

  • A trigger is something that sets off a flashback, transporting the person back to the traumatic event.

• 2 to cause something to start:

  • Some people find that certain foods trigger their headaches.

  • Ultraviolet-B radiation triggers the skin to produce vitamin D.

  • The racial killings at the weekend have triggered off a wave of protests.

  • Seeing him come towards me just triggered me and I screamed.

  • He could be triggered by a loud noise.

• 3 a part of a gun that causes the gun to fire when pressed:

  • to pull the trigger

• 4 to cause something to start:

  • I triggered the smoke alarm when I burned the potatoes.

  • Eating chocolate can trigger a migraine headache in some people.

• 5 an event, situation, etc. that causes the start of something, especially something bad:

  • trigger for sth Inflation has been the trigger for nearly all post-war recessions.

• 6 to cause something to happen, especially something bad:

  • Central banks must raise interest rates without triggering a financial crisis for households with excessive debts.

  • be triggered by sth The sell-off was triggered by a profits warning.

• 7 to make a piece of equipment, etc. start working:

  • Any attempt to jack the car off the ground triggers the alarm automatically.